New Freeway Signage Helps Motorist Locate Bixby Knolls

What started as a line item on a “wish list” 10 years ago finally has come to fruition. Bixby Knolls is now officially on the map with directional signs on the 405 freeway. “There are now nine signs directing people north on Atlantic and Long Beach Blvd. into our business district.” said Blair Cohn , Executive Director of the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association. “This was a long time coming but we are thrilled to see that drivers will now know where Bixby Knolls is located. We have received many phone calls and emails from area residents about how happy they are to ‘finally be recognized.’”

The Redevelopment Agency revisited the HyettPalma Study done back in 1993 which outlined design and marketing recommendations for Bixby Knolls. The freeway signage was one of the recommendations in the study. The RDA brought the consultants back two years ago to update the study and create a current Bixby Knolls Work Plan. The BKBIA is now working from a “to do list” from this plan to promote the business district as well as to make capital improvements to buildings, new landscaping, promotional materials, etc.

“The process for getting the signage was somewhat daunting but there was a big team effort to get it done.” Cohn said. “Councilmembers Gabelich and Johnson, City Manager Pat West, City Traffic Engineer Dave Roseman, Tony Foster from RDA, and the city council worked to get the approvals necessary with Cal Trans to move the project forward.” After Cal Trans had received all the necessary approvals from the city and the funding from RDA, the signs were to be installed in another four months time. Slowly but surely one or two signs would appear on the freeway and there is now confirmation that all nine proposed signs are in place heading north and south on the 405 freeway. “This is another one of the layers to our improvements to the area. The directional signage leads you off the freeway to our boy scout landscape projects, the new Fresh & Easy that will be opened soon, our new Bixby Knolls banners, and up into the business district where many of the buildings are receiving façade improvements as part of our work plan. It is very satisfying to have a project like this be completed and be an anchor for our momentum within the business district and neighborhoods“ said Cohn.